Now the BBC weather men will just give it their best bet

For years it has been a national pastime to curse the weathermen for getting their forecasts wrong.

But now the BBC and the Met Office are hatching plans to cover their backs against constant gripes and groans from weatherbeaten audiences.

They are discussing the introduction of so-called 'probability forecasts'. Weather worriers will be able to weigh up the likelihood in percentage terms of getting soaked if they pop to the shops.

It means phrases such as 'scattered showers' could be ditched and replaced with the more mathematical '30 per cent chance of rain'.

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The proposals, which would undergo trials on the BBC's website, could also see maximum temperatures replace with a chart of possible temperatures.

The idea is to avoid the repeat of the infamous gaffe by Michael Fish in 1987 when he told viewers not to worry about the impending Great Storm.

But the plans have brought claims that weather experts are trying to hedge their bets and will end up confusing viewers.

Currently, forecasters try to express uncertainty in the language they use. Viewers and listeners are used to phrases like 'patchy light rain is possible' or that 'there are likely to be showers for many places'.

The Met Office claims the probability forecasts would make the forecasting process more transparent and honest.

They also claim it will be useful to people who work outdoors, so they can prepare for all possible outcomes. Ken Mylne, of the Met Office, said: 'Some days we can be very confident about the forecast, other days less so.

'This way conveys more information in a more precise format. Words can be open to misinterpretation.'

'We know as well as the public that the forecast is wrong sometimes - particularly in terms of some of the details. We are being more honest about the uncertainty in the process.'

He added: 'If there's a 10 per cent chance of a storm, and you decide not to mention it, there are a lot of people out there who could lose a lot. For example, a builder who has scaffolding up, or a farmer with stock outside.'

BBC Weather Centre manager Andrew Lane, speaking on Radio 4, admitted there remained concerns about the project.

He said: 'The capacity to confuse is immense. The concept of 90 per cent chance of rain, say, is not too complex but when the probability approaches 50 per cent people interpret it as guesswork.'